300-400cc ATV Recommendations for $1700-$2200?

[Olympus]

Alright guys, my old Kawasaki Prairie 360 laid down on me to the point where it's gonna cost more to fix than it's worth combined with the fact that additional repairs will be more frequent now due to it's age. It's time to start looking for a replacement. I have plenty of time to look for the right one because I'm fairly particular about what I buy used. I don't mind older models, but I want to make sure it's clean, been well maintained, and hasn't been abused. Which seems to be pretty difficult. I thought the Kawasaki I have was that way, but once I got it home to a closer inspection, I realized I should have looked harder before I bought it. It's been a money pit.

What I have realized is that the 350cc is pretty much perfect for me in terms of size and power. Plenty of power for what I use it for and still small enough and light enough that I can man handle it around if I need to. So I'm thinking another model in the 300 to 400cc range would be perfect for me. Mine is currently 4wd, but I can't think of a time in the last 3 years that I've actually needed to use the 4wd. But I'm always of the opinion that I'd rather have it and not need it than the opposite. So I guess I'd prefer another 4wd model unless someone can convince me otherwise.

As to the duties that the ATV would be doing, it's mostly cruising around the subdivision on paved roads. I've got a little boy with a 50cc ATV and I always ride with him to make sure he doesn't get hurt and to kind of "herd" him away from things like ditches and stuff. We ride on our 6 acre property. Previously, the most important job that my ATV handled was hauling corn and mineral to all my deer feeders and mineral sites on my hunting property. But this year our state conservation agency added my county to the list of counties where any feed and mineral are BANNED in order to try to stop the spread of CWD. So for the forseeable future, my ATV will not be hauling any corn or minerals. I still think having at least a rear rack will be mandatory though. I really need to buy an ATV spray tank so that is one job that the ATV would need to be able to perform. I use an ATV heavily during deer season to get to and from stand locations and also because I hunt by myself. I actually have a very small trailer that I pull behind the ATV that I use for hauling deer out with. I learned that getting a big deer on the back rack of an ATV by yourself in the woods can be very difficult, especially when it starts getting dark. I decided to start using that little trailer behind an ATV and it works SO much easier for a guy by himself.

I've been looking through my local Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and there seems to be a ton of older Polaris ATVs for sale. I currently own a Polaris Ranger 900XP, but it's fairly new. I'm not familiar with the quality of older Polaris machines, say 1995-2000ish timeframe. This is the age range I see of most of the used Polaris ATVs. I do know that I do NOT want a 2-stroke Polaris, which I think a lot of the older models were. If hunting wasn't a duty, maybe I would be more inclined, but I can't be smelling like 2-stroke exhaust after riding out to get up in a hunting stand. I see very few Honda ATVs being listed, at least in the 300-400cc range. Most Hondas I see are 250s or larger than 400 with big tires, snorkels, etc. I don't want to get into all that junk. I just want a stock machine. I see a few Yamaha ATVs, but still very few in the size range I'm looking at. I'm not really interested in going with another Kawasaki after this one. Parts and service have been expensive. I see very, very few Suzuki or Arctic Cat ATVs either.

So in a nutshell, here's what I'm looking:
- 300-400cc size
- $1700-$2200
- 4WD preferable
- Rear Rack at least
- Ability to pull a small trailer
- Reliable, dependable

 

[dubojr10]

I'll be putting one up for sale soon that may fit your request and budget. I'm fairly certain you wouldn't drive to North Florida to pick it up though. lol

2012 Kawasaki Brute Force 300

 

[Olympus]

Looks pretty clean, the way I like them. But you're too far to drive. That round trip would had a few hundred dollars extra in fuel, lodging, and meals. Not to mention I don't really have the free time to make the trip. And honestly, I'm kind of soured on the Kawasaki brand right now. I've been dealing with a local Kawi dealer since I can't seem to find an independent ATV mechanic that I can trust. Prices for parts and service have just been really high.

 

[dubojr10]

Yea I agree. It's the reason I work on all my toys. Good luck in your search though!

 

[1stDeuce]

You are not alone in your quest... I bought a '88 Honda 300 4x4 several years ago for $1400. It wasn't perfect, but it was decent and I fixed a few things that were wrong. Unfortunately it was stolen less than a year after I bought it. It was a great little machine, and easy to work on.

I replaced it with a $1000 '86 Honda 350 4x4, which was Honda's 1st 4wd atv, with solid axles front and rear. Fixed a few little things and it's a solid bike. it has served us well around the property, but it's a real tank, and I wouldn't recommend one unless you are a collector...

After looking for two years for another 300 4x4 in decent shape, I gave up and bought a '99 Polaris Xplorer 400 4x4 that popped up on FB Marketplace one morning. It was in good condition other than needing tires and a tuneup, and I only gave $1000 for it. It was a 2 stroke, but the smell wasn't bad at all, and it was actually quieter than the 4 strokes I've had. It was also wicked fast, and rode really well. The 4wd flat out works, and will spin all 4 when you push the button. It was actually a nice ATV, but not what I was looking for. I sold it and made some money, and went back to looking for a 300 Honda...

I recently found a beat and neglected '02 Honda 350 Rancher for $500. It was farmer owned, so it needs a lot of work, from wheel bearings to top end and shifter shaft... It's all work I can do, and it should be a solid ride once I get it fixed up.

If you can find one, I would highly recommend the 300 as a great machine. The 350 Rancher series more or less replaced the 300 around 99, and is also a solid bike. If I found a good deal on a 500 Xplorer or Sportsman, I'd not pass that up either. I have a friend with a '99 350 Wolverine, which is also a nice middle weight and size bike.

Whatever you end up with, I would highly recommend that you buy a service manual and start doing some work yourself. Most things are very easy to do, and dealers make a killing on service on older ATV's... If you have a dealer perform all service and maintenance, any ATV you buy is going to cost you a ton.

 

[nybirdman]

I purchased my Kawasaki Prairie new in 1998(400cc liquid cooled) and use it about every day.Your 360 is an air cooled model.I don't have a speedometer but estimate 4,000 miles on mine;probably more.
I have owned Honda,Kawasaki,Yamaha and Suzuki;last three new ones have been Yamaha and had great luck with them.

 

[George2615]

I just picked up a 96 Polaris Sportsman 500 on CL last month for $1600 in very good condition. I had to put new tires on it and basic maint. such as fluids, light bulbs etc but still came in under 2K total.
Shop around, they are out there.

 

[kittyhawk]

I bought two used Honda Ranchers, 350s. Ones a 2006 2x4 and a 2004 4x4 model. They Both run great, so far I only have had to put new batteries and carbs rebuilt in them from setting for over a year with out being run. I gave $1200 for the 2x4 and $1800 for the 4x4.
I have a 2007 Arctic Cat 500 auto 4x4 I bought new and think the Honda are better machines.

 

[Sean2202]

As previously mentioned above Honda Rancher or Foreman are tanks and will take a beating. Honda has a reputation for reliability when it comes to cars, small engines ATV's or motorcycles. I purchased a 450 Foreman for $1000 back in 05 from a friend who abused it. I think it had over 2500 miles on it at the time on the clock. It has sat outside at my house sometimes over a year without running. I use it to plow my driveway with and it will push a good amount of snow. Problems I have had are the battery does not last long. I usually have to replace it once a year. The dash gauges do not work well anymore. I think it got some water inside the housing as only some of the numbers can be read even with a new battery. And of course the mice that eat the air filter. It just keeps running.

I used to work as an ATV mechanic at a Arctic Cat dealer in the early 2000's. While the early 00 Arctic cats where very good as well in 500 cc or 400 cc. If you are looking at these look for a liquid cooled version. There where automatics as well as manual versions. 4 wheel independent suspension as well.

I always wanted a 86 Rancher. I still have a 86 Honda 350x motor and some parts on the motor where interchangeable.

 

[Olympus]

Well I actually ended up finding a one-owner, ridiculously low hours/miles 1999 Polaris Sportsman 500. Only had 330 hours and 1250 miles. It has all the service records and is in amazing condition. It’s really bigger than I was looking for, but it was in such good shape and well maintained that I threw out a lowball offer and the guy took it. I bought it for $1900 and I couldn’t be happier!